Seeking New and Improved Methods and Machines to Do Man’s Labor, Many Industries Spur Search with Offers of Reward DESPITE the fleetness with which developments in science and industry have taken their places in the service of man during the past few centuries, untold problems remain to be solved, powerful unknown forces are to be harnessed and hidden sources of new wealth uncovered. Greater demands for time and labor-saving methods and devices are constantly arising, notwithstanding the fact that machinery now performs most of the labor in mill, factory and office.

The bread we eat, the soap we use, coffee, sugar, chewing gum, cigarets, almost every article of necessity, is now wrapped by machinery that does from two to forty times the work of one man. In the steel industry, one or two attendants with un-loading devices can replace ten to twenty men toiling by hand. Giant traveling cranes snatch up loads it would require a regiment of workers to move, in less time and with more ease. In glass factories, bottle machines can produce as much as fifty-four operators using the old methods, and in coal mines an automatic conveyor with twelve attendants takes the place of 150 men. Business offices are now equipped with machinery that keeps books, makes out statements, adds, calculates and subtracts with a speed and precision that is more than human.

It is almost impossible to realize the difficulties that were faced by the early inventors who could produce a cylinder true within “the thickness of an old shilling.” But the effort resulted in the marvelous assortment of machine tools which are today among the best accessories that human mind and hand ever produced.

The motion-picture machine, it has been remarked, does for time what the telescope did for space, drawing out rapid movements so that they can be examined and watched under almost any speed. Roentgen rays, aided by special screens, reveal the secrets of the human body once hidden from the eyes of surgery, and the selenium cell that can be as easily affected by light as the eye, has been brought to the service of man. With all the thousands of advances, it has been pointed out that we still live within narrow limitations. E. E. Fournier D’Albe, prominent scientist, calls attention to many questions still to be solved and new benefits to commerce yet to be found.

Fogs that disorganize shipping, railway transportation, and overland transport must some time be met with a successful combating device. Instruments will be devised with which a person can see around a distant corner, and penetrate to the bottom of streams and lakes where now a few fathoms of water completely conceal submerged objects. In his opinion every telephone will be perfect when the users can see each other plainly while they talk across great distances. Something may be m a de also to detect the air pockets which exist unseen to hamper aviation. While X-rays disclose the interior of bodies, attention is called to the fact that they do not permit the study of the surfaces of the bone, and while the microscope reveals swarms of minute organisms, there yet remain invisible to the human eye deadly germs which annually take great toll of life by disease. All these are but a few of the greater problems which, the scientist says, require solution. With each advance, new avenues of demand are opened up. Skill is drawn upon for its contribution to lighten the toil of the worker and reduce the element of time. Everywhere thought is being devoted to better ways of manufacture, greater safety and speed in travel and less expensive methods of carrying on industrial development.

Efforts are not confined to the technical minds and the trained researcher. Indeed, many of the things wanted will probably come from those who have no connection whatever with the field in which the inventions are needed.

Moved by the announcements of the Industrial Award Plan, originated and published by Popular Mechanics Magazine, many new problems have been submitted by manufacturers and individuals seeking to acquire new ideas valuable to them. These, with the offers heretofore included in the plan and which have appeared’ in this magazine, will be found on the following pages with the amounts of the awards the manufacturers are willing to pay for successful solutions.

$2,000—Preservative for Cheese.

We are packers and distributors of cottage cheese which is sold to the grocery trade in stone jars and sealed paper cups. This cheese spoils rapidly and its maximum life is one week in cool weather ; one or two days in hot weather. This makes it impossible for the product to be marketed beyond a local area. We will pay the sum of $2,000 for a method of processing or preserving cottage cheese, satisfactory to us, to keep it sweet and fresh for at least two weeks after packing, regardless of room temperature. Such method must be in accord with all pure-food laws and must not alter the flavor or appearance of the cheese. This treatment might possibly be accomplished by some method of pasteurization and then vacuum packing in individual glass containers. This offer ends May 1, 1925. Address, North Shore Food Products Company, 112 South Morgan Street, Chicago, Illinois.

$500—Automatic Grease Cup.

The Carr Fastener Company, manufacturers of the “4Dot”‘ high-pressure lubricating system for automobiles and industrial equipment, will, pay the sum of $500 for a reservoir grease cup which can be filled through a Dot grease gun, and which will thereafter feed out the grease onto a bearing at a slow and constant rate. There is a tendency in spring-actuated self-feeding grease cups for the grease to feed rapidly when .the cup as full, due to the tight compression of the spring, but as the cup empties the spring expands and: has Jess tension and the grease is fed more slowly. If a spring is used, this tendency must be compensated for in some way, or else some principle other than a spring must be devised. All plans or models, submitted are to be judged for their value solely by this concern. This offer expires May 1,. 1925. Address, Carr. Fastener Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

$500—Use for Button Molds.

An amount up to $500, depending on the proved value of ideas, will be paid by a concern equipped to make button molds, for new ways of using molds from which buttons formerly were made. Samples of the molds sent on request. Address, Problem HA-1, Popular Mechanics Magazine, Chicago, Illinois.

$500—Uses for Button-Mold Machines.

In proportion to the merit of the suggestion, a sum up to $500 will be paid for satisfactory suggestions leading to new uses for the machines employed in manufacturing button molds. Address Problem HA-2, Popular Mechanics Magazine, Chicago, Illinois. The two foregoing offers expire May 1, 1925.

$250—Slogan and Sales Plan.

The Casmine Company manufactures and markets a medicinal ointment called “Menthine,” which possesses properties for clearing the head and voice and benefiting public speakers and singers, also improves the voices of those afflicted with colds, catarrh, hay fever, etc. This concern desires to adopt a slogan or phrase which will adequately explain the above properties in a very few words and be easily remembered. For a satisfactory slogan or phrase and a plan that will aid in largely increasing our sales to the retail druggists through their jobbers, we will pay the sum of $250. The Casmine Company will alone determine the value of slogans, phrases and plans to their business. May 1, 1925, will be the closing date of this offer. Address Casmine Company, 6 East Twelfth Street, New York City.

$250—Article to Manufacture.

The Guyan Machine Shops will pay the sum of $250 to the person submitting to them an article that can be manufactured in their fully equipped machine and electrical shop. Forging and welding departments completely equipped, and brass foundry capable of 100-pound castings are included. The electric division is fitted to make all coils and parts for motors and generators, transformer coils, commutators and allied equipment. We would like an article at least partially developed and prefer that it be something useful in or around coal mines, or that can be sold through jobbing and hardware trade. We would consider parts of mining machines or locomotives or improved attachments for same. Value of articles submitted will be passed upon solely by members of our organization. The award here offered will be in addition to any contract entered into with owner of said article. The offer expires May 1, 1925. Address Guyan Machine Shops, Box 757, Logan, West Virginia.

$1,000—Detonator for Explosives.

This donor, Mr. Frank Lesh, will pay the sum of $1,000 for a method of exploding a gun cap or mercury cap or which will cause a charge to explode under 3,000 feet of water and crude oil, without need of any connecting lines or other similar attachments. The process must not be prohibitive in cost and must do the work without any failures. This concern has a place on which to try out any methods and will act as sole judge as to the worth of any plans offered. It may be that such an arrangement cou’d be brought about by radio. This offer holds good until May 1, 1925. Address Frank Lesh, Box 1700, Casper, Wyoming.

$100—Ink Formula.

In naval architects’ offices, the designing of ships with multitudes of detailed parts necessitates the use of tracing sheets printed with border lines and title blocks or stamped with conventional notations. Frequently these blocks must be changed as to wording and so forth, necessitating erasing which, with present inks, ruins the tracing cloth with blotches, scratches and faint ink marks. These do not interfere with printing always, but are apt to spoil all the work gone before, and at best, result in a lack of crispness and finish to the work. For an ink that can be used in a regular printing machine or with a stamp, on tracing cloth, which will be thoroughly opaque, dry fast, erase with a flick of a knife point, donor will give $100 toward application of patent for same by entrant, or $100 in cash. There is a crying need in 40,000 drafting offices today for an ink like this to save time, work and money for the man with the ruling pen who has not yet been emancipated from the handicraft stage.

$5,000—Animated Drawings.

In engineering, especially naval architecture, dealing in the design and sale of designs of fast yachts and boats, there is a high sales resistance. The same is true of all engineering projects, and is due not so much to lack of money to enter the field but to overcautiousness and bargain shopping. Verbal appeals do not picture results adequately. It has been found that working models are helpful in selling projects, but models are too expensive for their limited field of advertising contact. The potential clientele is therefore severely limited.’ The present and usual weak appeal consists of neatly rendered drawings, coupled with photographic samples of past successes, and adroit salesmanship. For a means of animated drawings for screen reproduction which will smoothly animate drawings and renderings without any element of cartoonishness, the donor agrees to arrange for the payment of royalties amounting to $5,000 within a year of the proven mechanical practicability of the invention, after which the donor is to pay for a controlling interest and is to be the sole licensee of the outstanding interest. While the present idea is to animate, bring to life in a realistic way, the proposed designs of yachts, ships and machinery, the field is not confined. Any suggestions will be witnessed by notaries with donor, and such leading to a solution will be generously rewarded.

$100—Drafting Improvements.

In any drafting room there is an enormous amount of time wasted in doing tasks that, for method, are relics of darker apes. For the best list of salient and glaring faults which are now standard practice in drafting procedure, between the time the drawing is started and the last tracing made, the donor will pay the sum of $100. Opposed to the faults should be recommended a remedy for each. Receipt of lists will be witnessed by a notary; all lists will be copied, returned as witnessed, and a mimeographed circular sent to all entrants. The foregoing three offers close May 1, 1925. Address Problem NA-1.

$20,000—Static Eliminator.

The National Company, Incorporated, makers of the “Perfect Vernier Condenser” and velvet vernier dials, offer to pay the sum of $10,000 in percentage from sales profits for either of the following devices that will meet the approval of this company, who are to be sole judge of whether or not the said devices are acceptable to them: A satisfactory static or interference eliminator, for work in conjunction with a radio-receiving set that can be manufactured on a commercial basis and sold at a nominal price, and, A highly efficient fixed condenser of small size and large capacity with a rupturing voltage of at least 750 volts maximum. Said condenser to be entirely different from any other device of this nature now in use.

On acceptance by the National Company, of one or both of the above devices, an arrangement will be made with the inventor .whereby a percentage of profits derived from the sales of same will be paid until such percentage aggregates the sum of $10,000 for each device. This offer expires May 1, 1925. Models or drawings may be submitted, but in either case return postage must be included. Address, The National Company, Incorporated, Cambridge, 39, Massachusetts.

$5,000—New Product for Manufacture.

The Wollensak Optical Company of Rochester, N.Y., manufacturers of photographic lenses and shutters and makers of the Bioscope pocket binocular and Pockescope pocket telescope, are receptive to any suggestions for new merchandise which could most logically be offered for sale by dealers who are now handling their products. This concern would be most interested in suggestions for merchandise that could be sold through optical, photographic or sporting-goods stores.

They would only be interested in a product which could be handled to advantage by their present equipment. They are equipped to manufacture any sort of optical unit or any kind of small mechanical job involving the use of screw machines, presses and customary machine-shop equipment. For any such product as will prove acceptable to them, they will enter into a royalty agreement with the inventor or the one who offers the suggestion, awarding royalties until such time as the sum total of the royalties amounts to $5,000, or a flat sum, agreeable to both parties, may be arranged.

No Wollensak employe nor any member of their families will be entitled to submit suggestions in this offer. The suggestion can be offered in the form of a drawing with complete description, in the form of a written suggestion or as a working model. This offer ends July 1, 1925. Address all entries to Wollensak Optical Company, 1415 Clinton Ave., Rochester, N. Y.

$1,000—Process for Hard-Glossed Candies.

The Happiness Candy Stores, Incorporated, will pay the sum of $1,000 for the exclusive rights to a formula or method of manufacturing hard-glossed candies which will not impair in any way either the appearance or eating qualities of the candy, but will prevent it becoming sticky or losing its gloss when exposed to humid atmospheric conditions.

$1,000—Non-Discoloring Chocolate.

The sum of $1,000 will be paid by the Happiness Candy Stores, Incorporated, for the exclusive rights to. a formula or method of manufacturing chocolate coating which will not impair either the appearance or eating qualities of the same, but will prevent it from turning gray or dull when exposed to atmospheric conditions. The above two awards or any one of them will be paid only if and when a sufficient trial of the formulas or methods submitted has proved them to be in every respect satisfactory and acceptable to Happiness Candy Stores, Incorporated, and that their use will neither violate any pure-food laws nor infringe upon the rights of anyone, of all of which the Happiness Candy Stores, Incorporated, will be the sole judge. The offers expire May 1, 1925. Address Happiness Candy Stores. Incorporated, 202 Harris Avenue, Long Island City, New York.

Many Additional Offers Will Appear in the OCTOBER ISSUE.

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OFFERS ANNOUNCED IN PREVIOUS ISSUES.

All of These Offers Expire May 1, 1925.

CONTINENTAL CAR COMPANY OFFERS $5,000 in royalties for hoist for dump bodies operated by motor vehicle from driver’s seat with power from engine; $1,000 under like arrangement for new toy or article of household furniture to be made from lumber scraps of truck bodies. Also $5,000 in royalty arrangement for air-dumping device to be controlled from locomotive by engineer.

$1,000 IS OFFERED BY KIRSTIN COMPANY for improvements in Fil-Gage and reductions in cost of manufacture and distribution amounting to twenty per cent.

FOR A NEW METHOD WHEREBY SCRAP feather in a glove factory can be profitably disposed of, Eisendrath Glove Company will pay sum of $5,000.

NATIONAL SLATE ASSOCIATION WILL pay $200 for best suggested new use for slate; other accepted suggestions paid for in proportion to value.

WILLIAM H. MITCHELL COMPANY WILL pay $500 for three new uses suggested for low-voltage generators which they adopt as part of sales plan.

FOR AN ANTI-FREEZING INGREDIENT FOR an emulsified asphaltic concrete S. D. Hotheimer will Spay the sum of $500.

GRANITE STATE MOWING MACHINE COMPANY offers $500 in cash and royalties for satisfactory working drawings for gasoline-motor lawn mower they accept for manufacture, and marketing. NATIONAL BRASS COMPANY WILL PAY $300 for design of key guide that can be made of sheet metal and which will properly fit escutcheon plate of similar material. IN FOUR AWARDS OF $500, $250, $150 AND $100, the South Bend Lathe Company offers payment for four best ideas for new and practicable attachments for screw-cutting engine lathe.

FOR A PRACTICAL INEXPENSIVE MEANS by which carbonization can be prevented in portable oil burners of vaporizing type, Aeroil Burner Company will pay $500.

THE YELLOW CAB MANUFACTURING company offers an award of $50,000 for a perfected plan of traffic and pedestrian correction and regulation, including mechanical devices, regulations, etc., for the promotion of greater street safety.

$10,000 FOR A NEW MUSICAL INSTRUMENT which can be incorporated in any orchestra or brass band and will take a place among the present family of musical instruments accepted by the rank of players. Lyon & Healy, Inc.

FOR THE BEST SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENT on a gasoline-heated blowtorch and soldering and branding iron combined an award of $500 will be paid by the Everhot Manufacturing Company.

$200 WILL RE PAID BY THE ABOVE CONCERN for the best suggested new use for the device named in the next preceding. Other cash awards in proportion. PROCESS BY WHICH ZINC THAT OXIDIZES and is lost in brass foundries can be saved and used. Award $500.

PLAN BY WHICH LEATHER WASTED IN making of belting, etc., can be disposed of at profit to manufacturer. Award $100.

AWARDS OF $500 EACH WILL BE PAID for a waterproofing process for a library paste and a method that will produce increased sales of this product. John J. Harris and Company.

FOR PRACTICAL METHOD OF ANCHORING electric light clusters to vases, urns, etc., to convert them into lamp stands, $250.

WHAT CAN BE MANUFACTURED BY PLANT specializing in making bicycle wheel rims? Award $5,000.

IDEAS SUGGESTING NOVEL, PRACTICAL and valuable uses for Tig ventilating fans, blowers and unit heaters. Proportionate awards aggregating a total of $5,000 will be paid by Hg Electric Ventilating Company.

FOR A NEW FORM OF VARIABLE CON-denser for radio reception the Plienix Radio Corporation will pay $1,000.

WODACK ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION will pay the sum of $500 for a satisfactory hammer arrangement for a portable electric hammer.

$100 WILL BE PAID FOR AN ACCEPTED design of starting switch for alternating-current motors by the donor represented by Problem PD-1.

FOR A PROCESS WHICH WILL MAKE silver untarnishahle and will not impair its value the Stieff Company will pay $1,000.

BUESCHER BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY will pay the sum of $1,000 for successful saxophone reed of materials other than those now used.